"We also recognize that we have a ways to go in terms of sharpness, some tactical details," Marsch said. "On another day we may score a few more goals and end up taking a game that we command and rewards ourselves a little bit more. There are little lessons in there that are important for us right now and we just gotta keep pushing knowing we have a game soon.”

The starting XI for New York was down 2-1 when most of them came off the pitch in a full line change. The Red Bulls scored twice in stoppage time to win the preseason matchup.

"We like our whole roster, there are a lot of young guys, guys that have come from the USL system, guys that have come from the Academy that we think are ready for MSL contributions," Marsch said. "It was really good to see guys come on the field with energy. We ended the game strong, so that was really good to see.”

Sporting the captain's armband on Saturday night was Daniel Royer, who said the Phoenix team presented a challenge that New York struggled with at times.

"We need to analyze, but there was definitely really good parts to the game," Royer said. "However, it is still preseason and we still have things to improve.”

But despite the goal from Alex Muyl, the team knows they have to put in more work before the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

"We are not quite at full match fitness, but nights like this are good for that," Muyl said. "I think that the guys are not getting too frustrated because we know we are getting chances and it is going to get better.”